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I'm going to be moving Luna (and Stella, for that matter) about 100 kms (60 miles) next week, and am wondering how critical it is that I strap her down before I go. Normally I would just do it, but Luna's been shrink-wrapped and the straps may damage the wrapping, so if it's optional I'll avoid it. If not, I'll put sleeping bags between the straps and the wrapping film, I guess.
Here's a shot of her on her trailer, wrapped but not strapped:
The boat mover did not strap mine when he moved it to the marina to put it on my trailer 7 miles. At 60 miles if the roads are good and you went slower I see no problem. The law may see it as a different story.
I'd bet that the law says yes. They may or may not enforce it though. Locals to the area would know. I strap mine for the 110 mile trip to/from the lake. Even if you can stand to loose the boat, can you stand the damage to others if it causes an accident.
I recently hauled 10,000 lbs of cast iron machinery to Texas and one item, a 2500 lb jointer, had 3 straps. I could see the shiney wood on the deck where this thing moved about 6" even with the straps when I had to lock up the brakes to avoid a collision.
I agree with Figment
Dave.
Never finish all your projects or you'll be bored.
Cut holes and strap her. If you don't have an access into the tent, perhaps you can fish the straps through padding and then fish them through w/o huge holes in the wrap. The point about chafe during the tow is important.
There is definitely a trend developing here in the advice - and it's not unexpected. I've always thought that what you need to do is to make sure the trailer stays stuck to the boat (it being the lighter of the pair), so I'll do as advised and stick straps through to hold it on. And I have shrink-tape, so I can seal the hole in the wrap around the film to avoid it tearing open on the highway (not that I'll be going very quickly).
Pictures to follow once I get the straps in place.
I would not attempt the move without straps. Should you be unfortunate enough to have an accident the insurance company will be immediately looking for an excuse not to pay any claims and I'm sure the lack of straps would be a great starting point for their attorney.
I was given an old Flying Dutchman on its trailer, about 12 years ago. It was south of DC and had been under a pine tree for a couple decades. I had brought spare trailer tires and a light bar and license from another trailer. I got it out from under and found the boat about half full of composted pine needles. I didn't wish to sully their neat garden, so I towed it the couple hundred miles up I 95 to Philly. Didn't even need the tires!
Once in my back yard I transferred the compost to our compost piles, lifted the boat off the trailer and found that the U-bolts holding the axle onto the springs were either broken or nearly rusted through. The axle stayed in place because of gravity, the compost surcharge, the locating pin between springs and axle flange...and pure dumb luck.
The cheapest repair was to replace the whole axle, complete with hubs and tires. And I still use the trailer.
Very Crucial!! You can never tell what you will find out there. Having just moved my boat about 3000 miles straps are a must! I had two blow outs and a couple of my straps parted. In the end I had to replace all my trailer tires and two straps. Then you have to think about the road conditions and the other drivers around you.
Stephen
